Indwelling double J stents in reducing urinary tract complications in patients undergoing postoperative radiotherapy after cervical cancer surgery

Objective To analyze the value of double J stent in patients undergoing postoperative radiotherapy after cervical cancer surgery. Methods All patients with cervical cancer (stage Ⅰ A & Ⅱ A & Ⅱ B) who underwent cervical cancer surgery in our hospital from June 2013 to June 2016 and treated with postoperative radiotherapy were divided into observation group (indwelling double J stent group, n=39) and control group (conventional treatment group, n=42). The renal function and complications of the two groups were recorded and compared. Results There was no significant difference between the two groups in mean age, body mass index, FIGO clinical stage, pathological type and combined chemotherapy (All P> 0.05). In the observation group, the total incidences of hydronephrosis 4 cases (10.3%) vs 14 cases (33.3%) and mild renal hydrocephalus 2 case (5.1%) vs 9 cases (21.4%) were significantly lower than those in the control group (All P< 0.05). The creatinine (116.9±43.0 μmol/L vs 170.8±68.4 μmol/L, P< 0.001) and urea nitrogen (5.4±1.9 mmol/L vs 7.7±2.5 mmol/L, P< 0.001) in the observation group were also lower than those in the control group. During the indwelling of the double J stent, the incidences of fever, infection, lumbago, kidney area percussion pain and radiation cystitis in the observation group were not significantly different compared with those of the control group (All P> 0.05). Conclusion It is an effective, safe and feasible method to prevent ureteral obstruction and protect renal function by indwelling double J stent in patients undergoing radiotherapy after cervical cancer surgery.